Codes and Standards Affecting Glass in Buildings: The U.S. and Beyond

This paper examines the development and adoption process of building code requirements and standards related to glass in buildings in the United States. Issues covered include safety glazing, skylights, handrails, and glass strength. The relationship between the building codes and consensus-based standard organizations, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) will be reviewed. Specific U.S. glass requirements for safety glazing performance and glass quality will be compared to existing Mexican and Canadian requirements. At the international level, this paper will review the work of ISO Technical Committee 160, its working groups, current activities, and the interrelationship of national and international standards in the workplace.